Smug Bastard

A Hero Club Novel

By: Stacey Marie Brown, Hero Club

Narrated by: Maxine Mitchell, Jason Clarke

Length: 7 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

It was my time, a cross-country drive heading home for my brother’s wedding to figure out my life after college. Me, my dog named Goat, and the open road. That’s all I wanted.

He wasn’t supposed to be part of it. My older brother’s high-school friend and my sister’s ex. The cocky boy my 11-year-old-self hated.

The infamous Smith Blackburn, a.k.a. Smug Bastard. The guy every girl wanted to be with and every guy wanted to be.

The day after graduation, he left town and disappeared, losing contact with my family. But nine years later, he resurfaces and becomes a thorn in my side once again.

After his motorcycle breaks down, my older siblings convince me to let him ride home with me. Kyle wants his old buddy at his wedding, and Kasey, still carrying a torch for him, wants nothing more than to see him again, convinced they are meant to be. It’s the last thing in the world I want, but I learned long ago going up against the powerhouse twins is futile.

After nine years, we’ve both grown up, but our mutual dislike lingers. Though I can’t deny he is the sexiest man I have ever seen in my life. His piercing blue eyes, gorgeous rugged face, and muscular, tall figure belong on magazine covers. But he’s still a smug bastard, and I’m still the annoying little “Baby K”.

Spending every minute together in a tiny camper van starts to twist the lines of hate, igniting feelings and passions I’ve never felt before, shoving me out of my safety bubble. Tension grows, and nights are filled with strain and forbidden desire.

But I can feel him holding back. Cagey and cryptic, Smith’s dark past hints at the surface.

When it finds us, nothing could have prepared me for the truth - the secrets that flip everything upside down.

I wasn’t supposed to fall for him.

He was never meant to be mine. 

©2020 Stacey Marie Brown and Cocky Hero Club, Inc. (P)2020 Audible, Inc.

Really enjoyed this one

Maaaan, this book comes with the drama. Not angst, but DRAMA. It is a moderately slow burn but you get the following: Best friend's kid sister. Jail time. A cross country trip in a camper. Cactus. New Orleans. Hot up against the side of the building alley sex. Jason Clarke using an Aussie accent for a sub character (Total 🎤 drop) and a HEA.
Story-4.75
Narration- 5 ( O-mazing)
Overall- 5

Hmmm...

How do I explain my rating without spoiling the story??? First half is a road trip where he wants her -she wants him; but we can't. His dark past, not so dark. Jealous ex doing the usual story bending and the leading as usual doesn't get the truth first hand. The past problem of the male lead was too familiar, almost exactly like a book I've read years ago, so much so that I knew exactly who did what to who. Reading with Audible Escape for free yes.

Smug Bastard

4.5 stars
loved this one. The perfect brother’s best friend with a tiny bit of forbidden twist ( since he had a fling with her older sister back in HS). Kingsley is starting a long road trip home from Cali to Rhode Island for her brother wedding when she gets a last minute plea to pick up Smith - her brother’s old best friend from HS who recently picked up their friendship. They haven’t seen each other in 9 yrs (last when Kingsley was the annoying/ awkward 13 yr old little sister. Their attraction is immediate and the sexual tension rockets up from there. Of course they don’t give in right away and their was a little twist or two along the way. Loved it

This was a enjoyable read.

I would not say this is one of my favorites, but it is well written and fun to read. Narration was excellent.

Fun!

This was a fun story, and a nice addition to the Hero Club world. I am kind of hesitant when there is an ex involved, even when it's that of a sibling. But it didn't get on my nerves here as the sister was never really with him, and Smith seemed to only have eyes for Kinsley. The road trip was fun to take with them, and I loved Goat. The audio narration was great as well, only adding to the experience.

very good

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! good overall

Good writing

I listened to the audio and I enjoyed the author’s writing, but this was just okay in the end. I didn’t like Kinsley’s immaturity and excessive drinking. Kinsley and Smith’s lack of good communication didn’t bode well for their future relationship. Really liked the dog, Goat. Despite my numerous problems with this, the author’s writing was very good, and I’d be tempted to try another book by her.

Narration: good narrators, but they sound unnatural at 1x speed - I just can’t keep my attention on it with it being so slow. 1.7 - 1.8x speed sounds more normal for a speaking or reading speed. Wish it had been recorded faster since I feel at the 1.7 speed some of the narrator’s evident skill is lost.

Loved it!

The narrators are two of my favorites!!! The story was great. Kinsley drove me crazy with her lack of listening but that’s my only annoyance with this book

Great Story

The first book that started the “Hero Club Series” Soraya and Graham’s story Is “Stuck-Up Suit” by ViKeeland and Penelope Ward it took me forever to figure it out.
You don’t need to read the first book but if you want to....

Best “hate-love-hate” road trip ever!

This is just the best roadtrip story ever! Fantastic story and characters. Everything flowed seamlessly. The character development was perfect and the intrigue and secrets were just right. Honestly, one of my favorite books in that last couple years.
Of course the amazing narration duo of Maxine Mitchell and Jason Clarke made it even more enjoyable. They are sooo good at their jobs! Maxine is easily one of the expressive narrators in the business and Jason just makes everything sound sexy - exactly what Smith’s character is all about. Perfect casting by the author!!